This program will focus on significant architectural sites in and around the city of Rome, where the primary means of investigation will be through observational and analytical drawings, photography and video informed by architectural conventions. Students will explore traditional and contemporary media to document the various sites while informed by readings, presentations and discussions in both the Special Topics Studio courses ART 3900 and ART 4900. This experience will be complemented with historical studies in ART 3640 where experiences of the actual sites in and around Rome will be informed by specific historical readings and commentary.

The conceptual framework throughout the site visits will be the investigation of architectural forms as historic and cultural expressions.

The course will run chronologically from the Etruscans through Ancient Rome, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-classicism and conclude with significant structures of the 20th Century. Additional discussion topics will include construction materials, building techniques and the decorative arts. The emphasis of the program is to assist the studio arts students in developing conceptual documentation and drawing skills while deepening their knowledge and appreciation of architecture and interiors in the specific sociological/historical place of Rome.

Eligibility and Selection Process
Undergraduates are encouraged to apply. Interested students must have a 3.0 GPA. Applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio (on a CD) demonstrating drawing abilities. Additionally, applicants must complete a pre-departure orientation as well as an interview with the Program Director.

Gradaute students should contact program director for possible arrangements.

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a judicial offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Click here to read the entire judicial policy.

Applicants must be matriculated OHIO students. Non-OHIO applicants must have successfully completed high school or its equivalent.

Living Arrangements
Students will be housed in shared, fully-furnished apartments during the Rome program (with 3 – 7 students per apartment). Bedrooms are typically double-occupancy. These accommodations are conveniently located in three traditional, well-established neighborhoods in close proximity to the American University of Rome.

Students will select from the courses offered for a total of 12 credit hours.*(For studio art majors outside of Interior Architecture, the history course will count for an Art History requirement.

ART 3900 and ART 4900 are both studio courses. ART 3900 will focus on documentation. All site visits will be documented via traditional and digital media. The final sketchbooks and digital records will be the primary method of evauluation for the course. ART 4900 will formulate work(s) in response to a specific site(s) which demonstrates a synthesis of critical thinking in relatioship to a students experience/understanding of place. The projects will need to reflect an awareness of the issues presented in the readings and discussions as related to the various sites. ART 3640 is a history course which will provide a historical framework for all site visits, and will inform class discussions, as well as the studio work produced in ART 3900 and ART 4900.

Requesting accommodation for disabilities
If you plan to participate in an Ohio University-sponsored study abroad program and wish to request accommodation, you should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to schedule an appointment to complete an Global Opportunities Disability Accommodation Request Form. We recommend you do this as early as possible to allow sufficient time to determine what accommodations may be made for this program.

Entry and exit requirements
U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year, apply for your passport now: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

US citizens won’t need a visa or other special documents to enter the country for the length of this program. You may need to show sufficient funds to support yourself while in-country. Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.